Certifying Success: Sport Divers, Citizen Science, and Sustainability

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Citizen Science in Maritime Archaeology: The Power of Public Engagement for Heritage Monitoring and Protection" , at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Citizen science in maritime archaeology has the potential for astounding benefits. Not only do sport divers participate in authentic data gathering and educational opportunities about the values and ethics of underwater archaeology, they also become critical vectors for the production of needed evidence to inform management and preservation decisions. Empowering divers to produce information, rather than simply consume it, engages them directly in ocean science, conservation initiatives, and sustainable use. Those of us who embark on the voyage to develop citizen science programs must, however, be aware of issues and pitfalls likely to be encountered. This paper discusses these issues, which range from training considerations to permitting issues to liability concerns, as well as responses developed through experience by the Florida Public Archaeology Network.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2020   •
• Citizen Science in Maritime Archaeology: The Power of Public Engagement for Heritage Monitoring and Protection

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

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PaperId(s): 169